Dredge



Jan. 8, 1929;

B. R. STORSAND DREDGE Filed Feb. 15, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet I INVENTOR fi orn E. fiforzsond A TTORNE S B. R. STORSAND DREDGE' Filed Feb. 15, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- A TTORNE YS Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,033

B. R. STORSAND DREDGE Filed Feb. 15, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTOR NE YS Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

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BJQBN B. STOESAND, OF KEN'IFIELD, CALEFOBN1A,ASSIGNOR TO YUBA-IHAIQUFACTUR ING- COIVEPANY, 033 SAN FRANCESCO, CALIFGLRNIA, A CORPORATION OF GALIEOBNIA.

DRIEDGE. I

Application filed February 15, 1928. Serial No. 254,408.

My invention relates to dredges of the bucket type and is part cularly related to bucket dredges employing open bottom buckets. V

An object of my invention is to improve the efficiency of the open bottom lmcket type of dredge. V I

Another object of my invention is to insure that the dredge buckets are completely emptied of their contents ateach cycle or operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide one means for removing the bulk of material from the buckets and a second means i5 for removing the residual material from the buckets.

A further object'of my invention is to pro vide positive means for dislodplng any material which may have become attired in the buckets. My invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the forego ng will be set forth at length in the folio description where I shall outline in full that form of the dredge of my invention, which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In said drawings i have shown one form of dredge embodying my invention, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to such form since'the invention as set forth in the claims, may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

In said drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation, somewhat diae grammatic, of the fore part of a dredge ems bodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan showing in detail the lower end 6f the ladder with t .e lower tumbler in place.

Fig. 3 is, in the upper portion, a cross section on a vertical transverse plane of an upper tumbler with a bucket in place thereon all in accordance with my invention; and in the lower portion is a side elevation of the upper tumbler. V

Fig. 4: is a cross section of the tumbler and bucket shown in Fig. 3, the planes of section being indicated by line %--d of Fig. 3.

In its preferred form, the dredge of my invention preferably comprises line of open bottom buckets adapted to run over-a pair of tumblers, with a suction line adjacent the lower tumbler to remove material from the buckets and also with a mechanical means for dislodging any residual material from the buckets as they'pass over the upper tumbler.

As disclosed'in Fig. 1, my invention is well adapted to be embodied in a dredge having a boom 7 for assisting in supporting a ladder 8 atthe'upper end 9 pivoted to" the dredge 6 and movable by rigging 11 connecting its lower end 12 to the boom 7. At the upper end of the ladder 8 is an upper tumbler 13 while at the lower end thereof is alower tumbler 141;. Running over the tumblers 13 and 14 is a line of buckets 16 adapted to excavate the material 17 being removed. In some types of dredges, the buckets carry the excavated material up the ladder 8 and discharge it into the dredge 6, but in the present instance the buckets preferably have open bottoms and a suction pipe 18 is disposed adjacent the lower tumbler to remove the material thru the bottoms of the buckets and convey it to the dredge for disposal.

It is often thecase that rocks and similar materials jamin the buckets and are not removed by suction adj acent the lower tumbler. Such partially emptied buckets are not fully effective in excavating and I therefore preferably provide means for forcibly ejecting from the buckets any residual material which has lodged therein. This is preferably effected'by projections 19 on the upper tumbler 13 which are adapted to extend thru the open bottoms of the bucket into the interior thereof to dislodge any contained material. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the individual buckets 16 are preferably cast metalbodies, generally of L-fshape, and are preferably open at the top and at the bottom. The bucket bodies are formed with projecting ears 21 adapted to cooperate with similar earsj22 on adjacent buckets for relative pivotalmotion. The successive buckets are'united to form a flexible line by pivot pins 23 passing 'thru the associated ears- 21 and 22. Preferably fingers 24; extend radially inward aroundthe open bottom of the bucket to assist in mo mentarily retaining material therein, and prevent large rocks from entering the suct-ion pipe while the upper edge of the bucket is preferably provided with a renewable lip 26 suitably fastened in place by rivets 27.

. As the buckets 16in the line pass over and are propelled by the preferably pentagonal tumbler 13, they enter the lowerrun 28 of theline and, adjacent the lower tumbler, engage the material 17 being excavated. They pass around the lower tumbler 14 and are loaded with material. The lower tumbler 14 is generally of two similar circular halves having a gap'15 between them and together forming a spool-shaped rotatable body. Opposite theportions contacted by the line of buckets '16 is the intake 29 of the suction pipe 18. The material which has been loaded into the buckets thru their open tops is discharged thru their open bottoms and flows thru the gap 15 into the suction pipe 18 and to the dredge 6. The discharge of the material from the buckets is facilitated by the jar occurring as each bucket seats onthe round lower tumbler 14. Substantially all of the material excavated is removed by suction so a minimum amount of power is required for the return of the upper run 310i the line of buckets.

It occasionally happens that some material jams in the buckets, but any residual material which is lodged therein is contacted and ejectupper tumbler.

I vided with a projection 19, each bucket 16-01 the line of buckets is enteredby a projection as the bucket passes over the upper tumbler and insurance is had that any residual material will be rapidly and mechanically dislodged so that the buckets can return in empty conditionto the lower tumbler for further excavating. The height and extent of the projections 19 can be varied to suit the circumstances, butit has been found in practice that 'the proportions shown are admirably suited to a majority of cases.

It will be appreciated that in accordance with my invention I have provided means for removing a large proportion of the exca- Vated material "from the open bottom buckets adjacent the lower tumbler and have in. addition provided means for mechanically ejecting "from the buckets, as they pass over the upper tumbler, any residual material which may have become lodged therein; In this manner, the buckets are always returned my hand.

empty for excavating and the efficiency of the bucket line is improved.

I claim:

1. A dred e comprising a line'of open bottom buckets, tumblers over which said bucket line runs, means adjacent one of said tumblers for removing material from said buckets by suction, and means on another ofsaid tumblers operating thru the open bottoms of said buckets for mechanically dislodgingv residual material from said buckets.

2. A dredge comprising a line of open bottom buckets, tumblers over which said bucket line runs, a suction pipe adjacent one of'said tumblers for removing material thru the open bottoms of said buckets, and means on -another of said tumblers for mechanically dislodging residual material from said buckets.

3. A dredge comprising a line of buckets. upper and lower tumblers over which said bucket line runs, means for removing bysuction material in said buckets adjacent said lower tumbler, and means for removing mechanically residual material in said buckets adjacent said upper tumbler.

4;. A dredge comprising a line of open bottom buckets, a tumbler over which said bucket line runs, and means on said tumbler oper-' ating thru'the open bottoms of said buckets for mechanically dislodging material from said buckets I 5. A dredge comprising a line of openbottom buckets, a tumbler over which said bucket line runs, and means on saidtumbler for dis lodging material from said'buckets.

6. A dredge comprising a line of open bottom buckets, a tumbler over which said bucket line runs, and projections on said tumbler adaptedto extend into said buckets passing thereover for dislodging material from said buckets.

7. A dredge comprising a tumbler, an open bottom bucket adapted to seat on said tumbler, and a. projection on said'tumbler adapted to extendthru said open bottom into said bucket. f I

8. A dredge comprising-a tumbler, a wear plate on said tumbler, an open bottom-bucket adapted to seat on said wear plate, and a projection integral with said wear plate adapted to extend thru said open bottom into said bucket.

In testimony whereof, I have hereuntoset mom a. .sToRsAND, 

